Atletico Madrid: Podolski, Torres & Shaqiri Options For The Attack

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Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has asked the club management to sign another striker in January and the club is keeping a tab on the situation of Lukas Podolski, Fernando Torres and Xherdan Shaqiri.

Atletico Madrid have become over-dependant on Mario Mandzukic this season as coach Diego Simeone has no other top quality option upfront and he has asked the club to sign another top quality striker in order to remain competitive in both, UEFA Champions League and Spanish La Liga.

Atletico Madrid are assessing their options for the winter transfer window and Fernando Torres, Lukas Podolski and Xherdan Shaqiri have emerged as the early favorites to play at Vicente Calderon next month.

Atletico Madrid sold strikers Diego Costa to Chelsea and David Villa to New York Cosmos during the summer transfer window. The outgoing duo was replaced by Mario Mandzukic and Raul Jimenez at the club. Coach Diego Simeone has shown his faith only in Mario Mandzukic so far and Mexico international Raul Jimenez has struggled to get the playing time at the Vicente Calderon club.

Meanwhile, reports coming from Spain have also confirmed the interest of Atletico Madrid in Fernando Torres, Lukas Podolski and Xherdan Shaqiri. Madrid based newspaper AS has claimed in its report that, Diego Simeone has told Atlético’s sports management team that his side has to be more productive in front of goal. In recent days, club officials have intensified their search for a striker to strengthen Atlético’s attack, a player who can partner Mandzukic or play instead of him. Several names have been linked with Atlético, including Xherdan Shaqiri, Fernando Torres, Lukas Podolski and Bruma.

Fernando Torres joined AC Milan from Chelsea in this summer itself but the player has struggled to settle at the San Siro club so far. Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone still has a faith in him despite his recent struggles.

The arrival of Alexis Sanchez has had a negative impact on the career of Lukas Podolski at Arsenal as the German is not able to get the regular playing time at the Emirates club this season. According to the recent reports, Lukas Podolski is not happy at Arsenal and he is seeking a move to another club.

Meanwhile, the current situation of Xherdan Shaqiri is also quite similar to that of Lukas Podolski and Fernando Torres. Xherdan Shaqiri believes that he is not valued by coach Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich and he wants to move out as early as possible.

Atletico Madrid signed Alessio Cerci from Torino this summer but coach Simeone is not fully convinced with the Italian international yet and he could decide to sale the player to free some cash for new acquisitions.